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Welcome to Federal Public Defender - Eastern District of Louisiana

Office of the Public Defender - Eastern District of Louisiana

The Office of the Federal Public Defender is an organization of criminal defense attorneys. We represent individuals charged with federal crimes in the Eastern District of Louisiana who have been found to qualify for our services by a magistrate judge. Our office can represent an individual only after we are appointed by the court. This appointment is based on the financial situation of the person charged which is determined by a judge reviewing your financial affidavit. Once appointed, we work for the client only, and not for the court. Our only job is to give our clients the best defense possible. Our defense team includes investigators, paralegal's, research & writing specialists, interns, and legal secretaries who may work with your lawyer on your case. For an in depth explanation of who we are and the Federal Criminal Process, see our Client Handbook.

This web page is for the use of Federal Public Defenders, CJA and other attorneys regularly defending Federal cases in the Eastern District of Louisiana. The Office of the Federal Public Defender, Eastern District of Louisiana, operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act of 1964 (CJA), 18 U.S.C. 3006A. It provides defense services in federal criminal cases and other covered matters to individuals who are financially unable to obtain adequate representation. A person's eligibility for defender services is determined by the federal court. Defender organization attorneys may not engage in the private practice of law.